VLADIMIR PUTIN WOULD LIKE HIS SHIRT BACK

KGB Cool

Vladimir Putin

Russia

If he weren’t ruling Russia in real life, Vladimir Putin could rule it in Hollywood. He’s just right for a Bond villain or a Bruce Willis nemesis. He’s handsome but in a cruel, thuggish way, with his icy blue eyes and Slavic cheekbones. And the guy’s buff—he looks sharp in his dark modernist suits, trim sweaters, and even a wife-beater. Or is it a West-beater?

Text: Glenn O'Brien; Photo: Dmitry Astakhov/Itar-Tass/Corbis

Tiananmen Squaresville

Hu Jintao

China

The leader of the world’s largest nation looks like a middle-American Fortune 500 CEO—anonymous and generic, just like the next guy. Chinacorp. His dark business suits look affordable, his ties like you’ve seen them before, his hairstyle like high-impact plastic. Maybe capitalism is the best socialism.

Text: Glenn O'Brien; Photo: Jens B’ttner/EPA/Corbis

Playa-in-Chief

Joseph Kabila

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The 36-year-old Kabila may be the slickest prez on the planet. He’s good-looking and has a gift for styling, whether he’s in camo fatigues, an NFL-grade four button shirt, or one of those only-in-the-Congo short-sleeve shirt suits that pack some serious post-colonial pizzazz.

Text: Glenn O'Brien; Photo: Rainer Jensen/DPA/Corbis

Blanket Appeal

Evo Morales

Bolivia

Hey, didn’t this guy used to be in Los Lobos? Morales is very rock ’n’ roll, Nacho Libre funky with a healthy dose of blue-collar regular-guyness and a natural flair for traditional costumes. He’s done more for the loud sweater than former St. John’s coach Lou Carnesecca and Bill Cosby combined.

Text: Glenn O'Brien; Photo: Juan Karita/AP Images

Sartre-torial Splendor

Nicolas Sarkozy

France

There’s always hysteria when anyone to the right of Castro is elected in France, but I don’t worry about Sarkozy. He shows the right amount of (French) cuff, knows you can never go wrong with Ray-Ban aviators, and generally looks as smart as he talks. And he wears his suits well. Apparently, during the campaign, his wife, Cécilia—the chicest first lady on the planet—decided his two-button Diors didn’t suit his body and put him in three-button Prada. The rest is history.

Text: Glenn O'Brien; Photo: Peirre Verdy/Pool/Reuters/Corbis

Sultanic Majesty

Qaboos bin Said al-Said

Oman

Dressing as a president is a piece of cake; dressing as a sultan takes skill. It’s like being head of state and editor of GQ at the same time. And nobody wears a turban like the sultan of Oman. Plus, his military ensemble puts Michael Jackson to shame. He makes modern despotism look easy.

Text: Glenn O'Brien; Photo: Magdy El Shazli/EPA/Corbis

Connecticut Cowboy

George W. Bush

U.S.A.

Forty-three doesn’t take after forty-one. His dad was one of our better-dressed prezes. In Dubya’s first term, his jacket cuffs approached his knuckles, making him appear even more simian, and his trousers dragged on the red carpet. But unlike in other areas, he seems to have taken sartorial advice and improved his bidness look. Still, he’s best in ranch gear, and maybe clearing brush is his true calling, but we still wonder what the bulge is under his short-sleeve shirt. I guess he just has a lot of backbone.

Lil’ Kim is his own man, for sure, in those pimped-out pajamas. They’re like custom fatigues, a sort of cross between Mao and Hef. And then there’s that hair—I’m sure he thinks it’s Sal Mineo, but it’s really Marty Allen.

Text: Glenn O'Brien; Photo: AP Images

Arabic Bespoken

King Mohammed VI

Morocco

The king is obviously devoted to sartorial matters. His suits are impeccably cut, and he demonstrates serious personal style with his single-breasted peak-lapel jackets and his love of tie bars, tie tacks, and pocket squares.

Text: Glenn O'Brien; Photo: Jamil Bittar/Reuters/Corbis

Natty Threads

Thabo Mbeki

South Africa

Mbeki might be confused about the cause of AIDS, but the man knows how to dress. Whereas former South African leader Nelson Mandela sported batik, tunic-like tops, Mbeki is superbly tailored. He strikes a Savile Row chord and he accessorizes with supery verve. He could be a jazz musician or one of the best-dressed coaches in the NBA.

Text: Glenn O'Brien; Photo: Oliver Asselin/AP Images

Lifetime Despotic Achievement Award

Muammar Qaddafi

Libya

The “Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution“ gets my President for Lifetime Achievement Award. Qaddafi has always understood that politics is showbiz, and he brings pizzazz and imagination to the task. He doesn’t dress like The Man, putting on a First World suit and tie as if that’s the only way for the civilized to dress. Muammar mis Eastern and Western modes with flair. He’s not afraid of makeup. He does toga better than Belushi, and he refuses to take a backseat to Bono in the shades department. Note how his camo is in the shape of Africa! Rock on!

If he weren’t ruling Russia in real life, Vladimir Putin could rule it in Hollywood. He’s just right for a Bond villain or a Bruce Willis nemesis. He’s handsome but in a cruel, thuggish way, with his icy blue eyes and Slavic cheekbones. And the guy’s buff—he looks sharp in his dark modernist suits, trim sweaters, and even a wife-beater. Or is it a West-beater?